Çatalhöyük

Definition

Çatalhöyük was a large Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement located in Anatolia, which is present-day Turkey. It is considered one of the earliest known urban settlements, dating back to around 7500-5700 BCE, and is renowned for its well-preserved architecture, art, and evidence of early agricultural practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Çatalhöyük is one of the earliest known urban settlements, with evidence of planned, densely packed mud-brick houses and a complex social structure.
2. The site has provided invaluable insights into the development of early agricultural practices, including the cultivation of wheat, barley, and legumes, as well as the domestication of animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle.
3. The inhabitants of Çatalhöyük were skilled artisans, producing intricate wall paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts that showcase their artistic and cultural achievements.
4. The site's layout and architectural features, such as the lack of streets and the presence of shared walls between houses, suggest a highly organized and communal way of living.
5. The discovery of numerous shrines and religious symbols at Çatalhöyük has led to insights into the spiritual beliefs and practices of its inhabitants, who may have had a sophisticated understanding of the natural world.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of Çatalhöyük in the context of the Neolithic Revolution and the development of early agricultural practices.
  • Çatalhöyük is a crucial site for understanding the Neolithic Revolution, as it provides evidence of the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled, agricultural-based society. The site has yielded extensive remains of early crop cultivation, including wheat, barley, and legumes, as well as the domestication of animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. This indicates that the inhabitants of Çatalhöyük were at the forefront of the agricultural revolution, developing sophisticated farming techniques and adapting to a more sedentary way of life. The site's layout and architectural features further suggest a highly organized and communal society, which was a hallmark of the Neolithic period and the emergence of early urban settlements.
• Analyze the cultural and artistic achievements of the inhabitants of Çatalhöyük, and explain how they contribute to our understanding of early human societies.
  • The inhabitants of Çatalhöyük were skilled artisans, producing a wealth of intricate wall paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts that showcase their cultural and artistic achievements. These artistic works provide valuable insights into the spiritual beliefs, social structures, and everyday life of the people who lived in this early urban settlement. The discovery of numerous shrines and religious symbols at the site suggests a sophisticated understanding of the natural world and the development of complex belief systems. Furthermore, the site's layout and architectural features, such as the lack of streets and the presence of shared walls between houses, indicate a highly organized and communal way of living, which was likely integral to the cultural identity and social cohesion of the Çatalhöyük community. These cultural and artistic elements contribute to our broader understanding of the development of early human societies and their transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled, urban-based existence.
• Evaluate the significance of Çatalhöyük in the context of the broader archaeological and anthropological understanding of the Neolithic period and the emergence of early urban settlements.
  • Çatalhöyük is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites for understanding the Neolithic period and the emergence of early urban settlements. As one of the earliest known urban centers, the site provides a wealth of information about the social, economic, and cultural transformations that occurred during the Neolithic Revolution. The extensive evidence of early agricultural practices, including the cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals, sheds light on the development of subsistence strategies that supported the transition to a more sedentary way of life. Furthermore, the site's well-preserved architecture, art, and religious symbols offer valuable insights into the complex social structures, belief systems, and cultural achievements of these early human societies. By studying Çatalhöyük, anthropologists and archaeologists can better understand the broader patterns and processes that shaped the emergence of urban centers and the development of early civilizations across the ancient world.

Related terms

Neolithic Revolution: The transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled, agricultural-based society, which occurred in various regions around the world, including Anatolia.

Horticulture: The cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other plants, often on a small scale, which was a key feature of early agricultural practices at Çatalhöyük.

Domestication: The process of taming and breeding wild plants and animals for human use, which was evident in the evidence of early crop cultivation and animal husbandry found at the Çatalhöyük site.